Separating device



Oct. 24, 1939. R. B. PRESSLER 2, 7, 30

SEPARAIING DEVICE Filed Jan. 14, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l e? 7?- Zn [a9 a, .165 25 n I 63 Q 5 #3 I05 5/ 55 f 57 49 E 4? 3 41 43' f H5 m 4 .1 Ralph B. Pressler INVENTOR BY wag/MW ATTORNEY.

Oct. 24, 1939. R. B. PRESSLEQR 2,177,330

SEPARATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 14, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Ralph B Pressler INVENTOR.

BY WMW ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 24, 1939 PATENT OFFICE SEPARATING DEVICE Ralph B. Pressler, Fort Wayne, Ind., assig'nor to S. F. Bowser & Company, Incorporated, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application January 14, 1937, Serial No. 120,539

7 Claims.

The invention of the instant case is intended for use in dispensing systems which are adapted to handle liquids which, by reason of their viscosity, are apt to form with gases, including air,

emulsions of great tenacity.

It is well known that the dispensing of liquids such as fuel oils, is generally carried on by passing the liquid to be delivered through a volume meter and the customer is charged in accordance -with the reading on the meter. Most meters, however, will operate when air or emulsion is passed through them and consequently, unless all of the gases in the system are vented to atmosphere and unless all of the emulsion in the system has been broken down and the gases discharged to atmosphere before liquid reaches the meter, the record of the meter will not be a true indication of the amount of liquid dispensed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which will separate the gases from the liquid, close the dispensing line leading to the meter and which will vent a separation chamber to atmosphere when the liquid level in said chamber becomes so low that there is danger of gases or emulsion flowing to the meter.

Further objects of the invention are as follows:

To provide an emulsion breaking and gas separating device which is small enough to be used in installations where small size and low weight are important considerations.

To provide in a dispensing system a separating mechanism which will automatically terminate the dispensing operation when the quantity of 35 emulsion in the separating chamber is excessive. To provide in a dispensing system, a separating mechanism which will prevent a dispensing operation until the condition responsible for the emulsification of the liquid has been overcome.

To provide a combination screening and gas separating mechanism which is adapted for use in installations where size of equipment must be a minimum.

To provide in a dispensing system, a gas separating mechanism which will prevent the dispensing of gases or emulsion and which may be conditioned for operation after the disturbing condition has been remedied without shutting down the dispensing pump.

To provide in a dispensing system, a gas separatingmechanism on the discharge side of the pump which will close the meter inlet when undesirable emulsion or gas conditions exist in the pump discharge line and which may be opened Y after correction of such conditions to Iii-Establish,

a flow of fluid without shutting down the pump.

To provide in a gas separating device, an unbalanced liquid outlet valve which is adapted to be automatically shut when the liquid level in the separating chamber drops, and which may be opened by a rising liquid level in said chamber only when the pressures in said separating chamber and the outlet line become balanced.

To provide a gas separating and emulsion breaking device having a separating chamber which is provided with a gas and a liquid outlet and float controlled valves for controlling said outlets;

To provide a gas separating and liquid screening device in which the screens are mounted for ready removability and are held firmly in operating position when in place.

To provide in "a gas separating mechanism, a liquid outlet controlling, unbalanced, float controlled Valve, together with means for protecting said valve while open, from the current of flowing liquid.

Other objects will become apparent from a study of the specification in connection with the accompanying drawings of which: 7

Figure 1 is a section of one form of separating mechanism taken on the line i-l of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a section of the mechanism of Figure 1 taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with some of the parts shown in full.

Figure 3 is an elevation showing the arrangement of the device of Figures 1 and 2 in a dispensing system.

Figure 4 is a central sectional view of a modifled form of the separating device.

ConstructimFz'gs. 1, 2, and 3 Referring to Figure 3, the liquid is stored in a tank l, which may be a compartment of a truck tank or any other form of vessel which is connected by a suction line 3 to a pump 5 which is provided with the usual by-pass valve. The pump discharges through pipe I into a gas separating device 9 which is connected by means of a pipe II, valve l3 and pipe IE to the inlet side of a meter II, which may be of any suitable kind. The fluid discharged from the meter after passing through a control valve'l8 may be conducted away by any sort of a conduit such as the flexible hose l9, shown in Figure 3.

It is to be understood that instead of utilizing a pump 5 to create a flow of fluid through the system, any means of performing this task may be utilized. For example, the tank I may be suificiently above the remainder of the system so tem.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the gas separating mechanism comprises a body member 2|, which is preferably of cast metal and which is provided with an inlet opening 23 and a liquid outlet opening 25. This body member is also provided with a top opening 21 through which machining of the internal parts may be carried on and the discharge valve and its float and other elements may be inserted in the body member for assembly therein. Two side openings 29 and 3| are also provided to permit the insertion of a screen which will be described below.

Cap members 33 and 35 are held in place by cap screws 31 to seal the openings 29 and 3| respectively, while a cap member 39 is 'held in position over the opening 21 by cap screws 4|. The inlet and outlet pipes 1 and II are connected in any suitable manner to the inlet and outlet openings as, for instance, by means of flanges 43 and 45, gaskets 4'6, and cap screws 41.

The internal portion of the body 2| is divided into a plurality of chambers. Partition walls 49 and 5| at the outlet form a chamber 53. The wall 5| of this chamber is provided with a projection which is perforated vertically as at 51 to form a guidefor the pilot stem 59 of the valve 6|. This valve serves to regulate a port 63 formed in the upper wall 49 of the chamber 53.

Valve BI is provided with a small port'65 which is adapted to permit liquid to pass the valve and enter chamber 53 for a purpose to be described.

The valve BI is also provided with an upstanding stem 51 to which at its upper end is attached a float 69. Said stem 61 passes through a perforation 1| in a plate 13 which is supported at a fixed distance above the wall 49 by means of shouldered studs 11 which are threaded at each end. One end of each stud is threadedly engaged in the wall 49 while the other end projects through said plate 13 and is surmounted by a nut 19 which holds the plate in place against the shoulder of the studs.

Partition walls BI, 83 and 85, and :a screen 81 serve to form an inlet chamber 89 and a separating chamber 9| in the body. The inlet comprises a U-shaped conduit, shown clearly in Figure 1, which communicates through openings in the ends of the troughlike screen receiving chamber, clearly shown in Figure 2. The open sideor top of the trough-like chamber communicates with the separating chamber 9|.

The screen 81 comprises a pair of cylindrical heads 93 and between which are mounted a pair of cylindrical screens. The outer screen 91 is of coarse mesh and of large wire and serves as a support for the inner screen 99 which is of fine mesh and made of small wire. The screen 99 is the screening element.

The cylindrical heads 93 and 95 fit snugly into cylindrical bores in the partition 33 while theflange I91 on head 95 seats in one or the other counterbores I93. The flange MI is provided with'a spider I05 which at its center is'provided with a bore I91. by a helical spring III! which is adapted to be compressed between the head of the rod and the spider when the rod is inserted in the bore I91. A cotter pin l I. I is passed through the rod to prevent it from coming out oi the bore.

A sump II3 is provided in chamber 9| and a drain plug H5 is provided to close an opening- A headed rod I99 is encircled which leads from the sump to the outside of said body.

The baiiie II1 extends transversely of the chamber 9| and serves to protect the float 59 from a direct flow of the liquid against it. This 5 bafiie also tends to prevent a direct flow of liquid to the valve, and since some of the liquid is thus compelled to follow a more circuitous path, a longer period during which separation of gas may occur is provided. In

The cover plate 39 mentioned above has an opening II9 leading from. v chamber 9|, which opening is internally threaded to receive a threaded portion of the valve body I2I. A boss I23 is also provided on the cover plate and is u adapted to support a bracket I25 upon which is mounted the float and valve mechanism.

A valve seat I21 is provided in the valve body HI and a valve I29 is slidablymounted in a bore of said valve body. This valve is provided with 3 guide fins I3I, which do not close. the bore but which permit communication between chamber 9| and a chamber I33 which lies between the upper and lower coaxial bores in the valve body.

The valve I29 is provided with an axial bore 2 I35 which is restricted at its upper end to provide a seat for the needle valve I31 which is slidably mounted in said bore. A collar I39 is pinned to said needle valve and rides in an opening in the valve I29 which is longer than said collar. 3 The collar contacts the upwardly facing wall of said elongated opening to limit the axial motion of the needle valve. Sufficient play is allowed between the collar and said walls due to the elongation of the opening to permit full opening and; 8 closing movement of the valve.

A transverse bore MI is provided in the valve 529 and enters just below the seat of the needle valve so that when the valve I29 is closed against its seat I21, and when the needle valve I31 is open, the chamber I33 will be connected to the outlet bore 543,

The bracket I25 is provided with a pivot pin I45 to which is pivoted a lever which has a float carrying arm I41 and a stop carrying arm I49. The arm I41 is provided with a float |5I while the arm I49 has threadedly engaged therewith a headed stop screw I53 which is held in adjusted position by a nut I55. A stop arm I51 is provided on the bracket and it is against this that the I screw i53 abuts.

The needle valve I31 is provided at its lower end with a square portion I51 which is provided with an elongated transverse slot I58. A headed pin I59 is inserted through the slot and through aperforation in the float lever I41 and receives '-a cotter pin which is adapted to prevent withdrawal of the pin from the various elements. The slot is larger than pin I59 hence considerable motion of float I5I is permitted before valve I31 is operated.

It is to be noted that the float 99 is of such specific gravity that it will float only in liquid while the float I5I is of such specific gravity that it will float either in liquid or in an emuli sion of liquid and gas.

Operation To operate the system disclosed above and shown in Figure 3, it will be necessary to start I the pump and discharge liquid into the separator and the rest of the system to eliminate gases therefrom. The liquid discharged from conduit I into chamber 99 passes through the screen 81, which holds back 21. .71 dirt, etc., which may bein the liquid, and into the separating chamber 9| which is of such size that the velocity of flow is sub tantially reduced and this in turn permits any gases which are entrapped in the liquid to separate therefrom. If there is a substantial amount of gas in the liquid and the latter is viscous, there willbe a layer of an emulsion or foam of gasand liquidabove the liquid level. This must not be permitted to pass through the vent because a considerable loss of liquid which forms the emulsion would result.

The liquid, which is now substantially free from entrapped gases, is discharged through valve GI and chamber 53 into conduit II from which it may flow through the remainder of the system.

During'the regular dispensing operation, once the system has been filled with liquid as described above, so long asquantities of gas introduced into the separating chamber 9I are such that they can be vented by valve I29, theliquid level and usually the emulsion or foam level will remain at such stages that valve 6| will be held against shield 13 by its float 69 so that the current of liquid flowing into chamber 53 will not carry the valve to its closed position and the float II will occupy its lowest position which is regulated by contact of stop I53 with abut- .ment I51.

If the quantity of gas introduced into chamber 91 is small, there will be a tendency for the liquid level to rise; and if there is a normal, or

In any of the cases mentioned in which the valves I31 and I29 were closed either by a rising liquid level or by a rising emulsion level, the

valves will be opened when the level of liquid or emulsion drops. In the case of the emulsion, it is broken "down in time due to the separation of the liquid from the gas and the float will drop. Since float I5I is adapted to rise in an emulsion, it is obvious that it must be very light and it is, consequently, unable to overcome the force which holds'valve I29 against its seat. This force comprises the bi-pass pressure-of the pump which is usually about fifty pounds to the square inch acting upon the cross-sectional area of the valve.

The needle valve I31 having a relatively much smaller area than valve I29 may be operated by the weight of float I5I and its-associated'parts.

As the float I 5I drops, the valve I31 opens to permit theg'ases entrapped under pressure in cham- -ber 9I to flow into chamber I33 'in the valve less than normal, amount of emulsion, the rising liquid level will cause float I5I to rise, turning lever I41'clockwise about pivot I45. This motion of the lever will first take up the lost motion between pin I59, portion I51, needle valve I31 and its seat to close the valve and thereafter the valve I29 will. rise into contact with its seat I21 to preventany discharge of fluid whatever fromchamber 9|, thus preventing any loss body and thence through the transverse bore I39, Past the needle valve port and into the vent I43. As the pressure on opposite sides of valve I29 approaches equalization and as the force exerted on the valve is reduced due to the reduction in eifective area caused by the opening of valve I 31, the valve I29 is opened by the weight ofthe float I5I and its associated parts. The lost motion permits sufllcient lowering of the emulsion level to insure that little emulsion will be lost through the vent as valves, I29 and I31 open.

In the case of the low liquid level last described, the venting of gases from the chambe 9|, as just described, permits fluid to" discharge 1 anced by apassage of fluid through the opening As soon as the pressures in 65 in the valve.

.chamber 53, and 9| become equalized the float abnormal amount of emulsion is formed in the/ are operated in sequence as just described in connection with the rise of the liquid level.

Usually the pumping of a great quantity of gas into chamber 9| accounts for a large quantity of emulsion in the chamber and as a result not only are the valves I31 and- I29 closed by the high level of the emulsion as just'described, but the liquid level is simultaneously depressed, and consequently-the float 69 will gradually drop until valve BI contacts its seat and closes compartment 53 off from chamber 9'I. Asa result of the closing of this valve the only flow of fluid from the separating device will be that through the opening 65 which passes such a small amount of fluid that there is little danger of emulsion reaching the meter. The operator must perform certain operations described below to again start the full flow. The closing of valve GI is necessary to prevent pumping of gases or emulsion to v the meter. I

- which is is incapable of supporting the float 69' irrespective of whether the valves I29 and I31;

will lift the valve to open it, and further dispensing of liquid will be permitted as soon as the operator opens valve I3.

It is obvious, however, that unless the condins such as a leaky pump suction line, etc., which caused the high degree of emulsiflcation is corrected, the dispensing operation will b e,of short duration because as soon as'the liquid level again dropsrthe valve will again. close and the operator will have to repeat the process just described. v g

It is apparent that the valve BI, which operates in conjunction only with the liquid level,

will be closed and the greater part of the-liquid discharge will be terminated as soon as the level within the chamber 9| drops to a level at are closed or open. It is also obvious thateach time the valve 6| closes, the pump pressure will ,most position of float I5I may be adjusted.

Structure of modification-Figure 4 The modified form of separator which is shown in Figure 4 is used only in connection with gravity systems, such as installed in the usual tank truck. It is not adapted for use with a pump or in any system in which theliquid may be forced through the system under comparatively high I61 form an inlet compartment I69 while partition walls I1I, I13 and I form an outlet compa'rtment I11. The remainder of the body forms a separating chamber I19. The walls Ill and H5 are provided with ports I8I. and I83 which are in axial alignment and-are adapted to receivevalves I85 and I81 which are arranged in spaced co-axial relation upon a valve stem I89. The lower endnf the valve stem is .adapted to engage anabutment I9I'to limit the 'downward motion of the valves, and when the stem is in its lowermostposition, the valves I85 and I81 fully close the ports I8I and I83 respectively. The valves are provided with guide flns I93 which engage the portsv andmaintaln the valve stem in its coaxialrelation with respect to the ports.

A float I95 is connected to the upper end of said valve stem. This float is of such a specific gravity that it will float in liquid, An upwardly extending and vertically movable valve I91 is connected by means of a link I99 to the top of saidfloatso that this" valve too, will be operated by said float. r

The chamber I11 is provided with an outlet opening ml to which-may be connected in any suitable manner, an outlet conduit 203. .Cham' -ber I69 is provided with an inlet. opening 205 to which may be connected in any suitable man- -ner'the inlet conduit 201. This chamber is also provided with an opening 209 whichis normally closed by means of a cap 2| I h in p e y c screws- 2I3. The latter opening is provided to permit ready insertion and removal of the screen I61.

The wall I is provided with an opening 2I5 *whichis counterboredas at 2I-1. The screen is in the. form of a' cylinder, one end of which is closed and the other end of which" isprovided with a ring 2I9 having a flange 22I. The ring and flange are adapted to fit snugly in the opening 2I5 and the counterbore respectively'to prevent the passage of liquid through the opening.

An upwardly extending spider 223 is fixed to the flange 22I. The hub 225 of the spider, is provided with an axial opening which is adapted-to receive a'headed pin 221. A helical spring 229 is confined between the head of said pin and the spider, and a cotter pin 23I prevents withdrawal of the pin from the hole in sai spider.

- As. shown in Figure 4, the ap 2II when'it is drawn to its seat by the cap screws, compresses the spring 229 against the hub of said spider. and

- consequently holds the flanged ring against its seatrin the'wall I65 to hold the screen .in'its operative position.

The screen I61:is composed of an outerscreen 233 of large wire and large mesh, which serves to support the inner screen 235, which is of small wire and fine mesh, against distortion by the flow- 0 or liquid.

An opening 231 is provided at the top of the separating chamber I19 to facilitate machining of the-valve seats, etc., and to permitready assembly of the parts within said chamber. The opening is providedwith a cap 239- which is Partition walls I63 and I65 together with screen appended claims.

adapted to seal the openings and cap screws 24} I are provided to hold the cap in posltioncver the opening. In the case of all'oi the covers-and flange joints, etc., gaskets are usually provided as shown to seal the joints.

The cap 239 is provided with a threaded opena ing 243 which is adapted to receive the threaded portion of a valve body 245. The valve body is provided with a guide 241 for the stem 249 of valve I91 and with a seat 251 for said valve. 4 A. threaded outlet 253 is provided for the reception of a vent pipe.

At the bottom of the chamber I19 directly beneath screen I61 is a drain outlet which is closed by a. plug 255. It will be noted that the wall' I63 of chamber I69 is extended downwardly beyond the wall I65 as at 251 and serves as a baflle to protect the float I95 against the'direot flow of. fluid. J

Operation Liquid will flow by gravity from the storage tank (not shown) through pipe 201 into the intake chamber I69 as indicated by thearrow in this chamber, and thereafter through the screen I61 into the separating chamber I19. The screen will-retain any particles of dirt, etc., which may be in the liquid and this dirt may be removed from thedeviceby simply removing the cover plate and cleaning the screen at a time when no liquid is being supplied to the device. Y

In the separating chamber which is large enough to materialiy reduce the velocity of the liquid, the entrapped gases are given an opportunity to separate from the liquid bef ore it flows mains closed until a quantity of gas suflicient to llower the liquid level accumulates in the chamber 19. a y I The liquid level in the chamber n9 alsb controls the valves I and I81 so that should the liquid level become so low, during a dispensing operation, as tobe unable to supportthe float I9I, the valve rod I89 will move downwardly into abutting relation "with stop I9I and the valves I85 and I81 will be closed, so as to prevent the passage. of gas or emulsion into the conduit 203 and hence to the meter. '1

If the liquid level again rises sufliciently to support the float I95, the valves I85 and I81 will again open to permit a flow of liquid from chamber I19. Since the pressures on'the. valves I85 and I 81 are balanced, the valves willopen as soonas the liquid level is high enough to buoy up the float. w

It is to 'be lfnderstoodthat the word gas is used to indicate any form of gaseoussuhst'ance which is entrapped in the liquid, and is to include air and vapors. w

it is apparent that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of 'parts without departing from the spirit of. theiriv'ention and the'right is reserved to make'all-such changes as fairlyv fall within the 'sco'pe'of the Having thus described myinvention, what I ans-,aao

constructed and arranged as to open said outlet against full pressure invthe chamber as said float falls and to close said outlet as it rises, an unbalanced valve for said liquid outlet adapted to close in the direction of the flow of liquid from the chamber, a liquid level responsive float'con- .nected with liquid outlet, a shut-oii-valve in said conduit, and means for by-passing said unbalanced valve.

2. In a separating system the combination of a source of fluid under pressure, a separating chamber connected to receive fluid from said source, said chamber having gas and liquid outlets, valve means for regulating said gas outlet, an emulsion level responsive float connected to operate said valve means, said valve means being so constructed and arranged as to open said outlet against full pressure in the chamber as said float falls and to close said outlet as it rises, an unbalanced valve for said liquid outlet adapted to close in the direction of the flow of liquid from the chamber, liquid level responsive float means connected to operate said valve and, having power suflicient only to overcome the weight oi. the valve, and means for balancing the pressures acting on said valve. 1

3. In a separating device adapted for use in a system having a source of fluid comprising gas, liquid and emulsion under pressure, the combination of a separating chamber connectedto receive fluid from said source, means forming gas and liquid outlets from said chamber, an unbalanced valve for said liquid outlet, a liquid level responsive float connected with said unbalanced valve, an emulsion level responsive float, valve means adapted to control said gas outlet, and meansconnecting said emulsion level responsive float and said valve means, said valve meansbeing so constructed and arranged as to open under the weight of said emulsion level responsive float against full pressure in the chamber.

4. In a separating device adapted for use in a system having a" source of fluid comprising gas, liquid and emulsion under pressure, the combination or a separating chamber connected to receive fluid from said source, means forming gas and liquid outlets from said chamber, and unbalanced valve for said liquid outlet, a liquid level responsive float connected with said unbalanced valve, an emulsion level responsive float, valve means adapted to control said gas outlet, and meansconnecting said valve means for operation by said emulsion level responsive float, said valve means comprising a small valve of such area as to be responsive to the weight of said emulsion level responsive float against the maximum diflerential pressure imposed across said gas outlet and a large valve of such.

area as to be responsive to the weight of said emulsion level responsive float against the ditferential pressure imposed across said gas outlet when said small valve is open.

5. In a separating device adapted for use in a system having a source of fluid comprising gas, liquid and emulsion under pressure, the combination of a separating chamber connected to receive fluid from said source, means forming gas and liquid outlets from said chamber, an unbalanced valve for said liquid outlet, a liquid level responsive float connected with said unbalanced valve, a shield, means for mounting said shield adjacent the valve open position of said unbalanced valve up stream of said valve, an emulsion level responsive float, valve means adapted to control said gas outlet, and. means connecting said emulsion level responsive float and said valve means, said valve means being'so constructed and arranged as to open under the weight of said emulsion level responsive float against full pressure in the chamber.

6. In a gas and liquid separator, a separating chamber, means forming a liquid outlet port for said chamber, a poppet type valve mounted for movement between port open and port closing positions, a liquid float, means for connecting said float to operate said valve, a shield disposed parallel to and upstream of said valve, and means forming an opening in said shield to provide passage lor said connecting means.

7-. In a gasand liquid separator, a separating chamber, means forming a liquid outlet port for said chamber, a poppet type valve mounted for movement between port open and port closing positions, a liquid float, means connecting said float to operate said valve, a shield for said valve and means for supporting said shield immediately adjacent the port open position of said valve and parallel thereto.

RALPH B. PRESSLER. 

